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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

3 Things You Need To Know Before You Get A Mortgage Loan

By Dianne Logan

With an extremely large crowd of lenders ready to provide you with a mortgage loan for your house, getting a mortgage nowadays proves to be hardly a problem for anyone. But getting a low interest rate, affordable mortgage with flexible repayment terms is still a major problem. Considering the fact that you can end up paying thousands of dollars extra if you land with a bad mortgage deal, here is a list of a few things that you need to know in order to negotiate the best mortgage loan deal:

1. There Are Two Main Types Of Mortgage Loans: Mortgage loans are broadly divided into two main types: fixed-rate mortgages (FRM) and adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). While you will find that the conditions for applying for an ARM loan are easier and they come with lower initial rates, a fixed rate mortgage is generally advised for people who are planning long term periods. This is because a fixed rate mortgage loan, which may cost more than an ARM initially, requires the payment of the same rate of interest starting from today onwards till a period of twenty to thirty years. On the other hand, an adjustable rate mortgages payments will vary every month based on a number of indices. However, an ARM will provide you with a lower rate of interest initially which might go up later on.

2. Your Credit History Matters: Your credit score is a major determinant nowadays of the kinds of interest, terms and conditions that you will get on your mortgage loan. If you have already taken out a number of loans which you have paid or are paying back on time, you have a higher chance of getting a low rate mortgage than someone who has never taken credit for a car or a house. Secondly, having a high credit score and a clean credit history can often slash back a number of points off your mortgage loans interest. Therefore, it is advised that you clean up your credit report as much as possible and get your highest possible score before you apply for a mortgage loan.

3. The Best Mortgage Loans Are Available Online: Not only are most reputable banks and lending institutions now providing loans over the internet, there are a number of new but reliable companies that are also dispensing mortgages online. Online loan companies get the advantage of garnering an extremely large market for a very small cost when compared to brick and mortar lenders. But the competition on the web is also higher than that in real space. As a result, most online lenders will not only provide you with lower interest rates, they will also charge you lower processing and other fees. So make sure that you do your research well and get quotes from online mortgage providers before you sign on the dotted line. While you compare interest rates and term periods, do not forget to compare all the fees that different lenders charge you for the same loan.

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The Difference Between Auto And Manual Forex Scalping

By Chris Channing

The foreign exchange market, also called forex, is now popularizing a new form of a money making technique that few know about: forex scraping. This method allows investors to quickly trade between currencies with such haste that the total transaction history will take place in less than 60 seconds, and sometimes as little as just a few seconds.

Before we understand scalping in depth, we must look at how a foreign exchange market trade works. First, we make a conversion from one currency to another. Once the investment is made into another currency, the investor hopes that the currency gains in value over the first, and then trades back to enjoy a nice profit. Scalping is doing the same thing, but over a very short time frame. It results in less income than a long term investment would, but it is considered less risky as a result.

As technology has become a proper tool in investment strategy, it has also made its way to the foreign exchange market. Automatic foreign exchange scalping is when a computer program is able to make decisions on what to buy and sell based on different market criteria. This isn't always a safe bet, as no one can actively predict market results with 100% success, but some programs may boast a high success rate.

Those who favor self control will side with manual foreign exchange scalping. This method ensures that programs don't have full control over one's finances, and that educated decisions can be made by one's self. In this case, it is easier to justify a loss on the market by saying it was a poor investment choice on your own part, and not a computer program acting based on conditions it read.

Another thing to look out for in buying automatic foreign exchange scalping software is scams or other shady schemes. Several great programs exist, but they cost money to use- so be prepared to shell out some money for them. But be very careful on where you buy from, as buying from the wrong seller could mean purchasing a shoddy program or putting too much faith into it and losing a large sum of money.

Automatic foreign exchange scraping software is legal, but brokers typically look down upon it since they essentially replace their job. If you'd like to get an honest lead on where to get the right software, the best resource is asking others in the industry or friends who have tried such programs. If nothing else, trial and error is always an option.

In Conclusion

Foreign exchange scraping software can make a big difference in one's investment strategy. Just remember to exercise caution, and only invest money that can be lost without much related stress or problems.

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Consolidating Student Loans The Major Benefits

By Bruce D Hunter

Consolidating student loans is simple, easy, and quick. You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Here are the major benefits you enjoy when you consolidate:

Simplify your life. After combining your student loans together, you'll have just one loan, one interest rate, one payment and one lender. If you're a busy adult like most of us, this is a valuable benefit. You'll save time and the stress of paying two or more payments each month.

Save money over the life of your loan. The amount of money that you will save will depend on your choice of a lender, and the amount of student debt you currently have. Many lenders have incentives in the form of a small interest rate reduction for paying your payment by automatic debit from your checking account or credit/debit card monthly. Others offer lower interest rates after a certain number of on-time payments have been made. Every little bit counts. Just a small reduction in the interest you are paying can result in significant savings over the life of the loan.

No credit check required. Did you know that you don't even have to undergo one of those bothersome credit checks to qualify for a consolidated student loan? Well, you don't. How's that for easy qualifying?

Improve your credit rating. Is this really possible? Yup, it really is. When consolidating student loans, your old loans are paid off and your credit report will show only one new loan open. Creditors usually rate one open loan at a higher rate than a few open loans, so you will be rated as more credit-worthy and your FICO score will rise within a few months as long as you keep your payment current. This will raise your credit score and improve your chances of qualifying for new credit when it comes time to buy a car or a home. There are only a few ways to improve your credit score quickly, and consolidating student loans is one of them.

Lower your monthly payment. Depending on your lender, you may be able to get a lower interest rate going into the consolidation loan. With that drop in interest along with discounted interest rates for on-time payments, etc., you will most likely have a lower monthly payment on your student loan. Could you use extra money each month? What a silly question! Of course you could. Consolidating student loans will free up some cash for you every month. And I'll bet you can find a lot of uses for that extra cash!

Safeguard your future. With a lower monthly payment and extra cash each month, it should be much easier for you to stay current on your student loan payment. Now you won't be in danger of being disqualified from future Pell Grants for higher education if you need them. You also won't risk falling behind on a federal debt which can bring out the IRS forces and other methods of collection that the government uses. You can be assured that your financial future is secure, and you can focus your energies on building your assets and cash reserves.

Visit CORE now to get free access to advice and information on the benefits of student loan consolidation.

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Online Stock Newsletters And Their Importance To Investors

By Chris Channing

Getting inside advice on hot stocks is something that is rarely available to a novice beginner- it's usually something he or she learns alone. While that is true, the Internet has created a new means of obtaining news on the best investments straight into the inbox of the investor with hot stock newsletters- the next craze in investment strategy.

The premise of a hot stocks newsletter is simple: it allows experts to create a periodical newsletter that is mailed to those who are less skilled in picking hot stocks. Depending on the resource, the newsletter may require payment, have ads, or only pertain to a certain type of stock. Some newsletters are targeted towards certain types of stocks such as "penny stocks"- a particularly large money-maker.

Even the smartest investor or most cunning computer program can't predict market conditions in a legal manner- so don't expect fool-hardy advice. Instead, take a hot stocks newsletter in mind as a good suggestion on investments for the future; certainly nothing that is a guaranteed success. Be wary of newsletters that promise guaranteed success, as this isn't something that is available with legal means.

As the saying goes, "two heads are better than one." This holds true for hot stocks newsletters, as multiple newsletters will allow an investor to get all possible information on upcoming stocks they may be interested in. Some newsletters may be somewhat biased to certain investments, or not be able to provide information in which others may be better suited. As such, signing up for multiple newsletters is always a good idea.

To accurately give credibility to themselves, a hot stock newsletter is going to need to show proof of their predictions and successes. Most investment resources will show their predictions, both good and bad, and allow Internet users to sign up for their newsletter based on their previous track performance. If a newsletter doesn't have any such statistics, it is more likely to lack credibility, and thus, more likely to be of little use to an Internet user or investor.

There are many metrics in measuring profitability. If you are new to the game, it's best to get a broker who can teach the basics of the stock market without being biased in the same process. Also consider checking out books at the local store that may teach more on stock investment techniques that are seldom known to newcomers.

Final Thoughts

Keep in mind that investment of all types is going to be a risk. Be prepared to lose money just as much as you earn it. As a rule of thumb, it's best to use money that can be sacrificed- never take out a mortgage or borrow on margin on a game of chance.

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What You Need To Know About Consumer Debt

By Mike Carbeck

Are you facing financial ruin because of your credit cards? A credit counseling agency can help you out. Credit cards are wonderful, but if you have trouble controlling your spending impulses, this can quickly result in your being in severe debt.

If you find yourself in this situation, you can find a credit counseling agency no matter what state you live in. There are even credit counseling resources available online as well. How do you find a credible counseling program?

The Federal Trade Commission has outlined some clear guidelines that will assist you in choosing the credit repair service that best fits your needs. Credit counseling agencies should respect the law and never make you empty promises. Remember if something sounds to good to be true, it usually is.

The agency you choose should focus on your present situation and teach you a life plan for money management. Avoid the typical hype and whitewash from agencies that promise to erase your debt and completely restore your credit rating, these are empty promises and scams. Your should seek the services of a federal agency that will provide you with assistance free of charge.

You are also allowed up to three copies of your credit report per year. The companies that offer this service online or by phone are Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. However, you will encounter a fee for your credit score, which differs from your credit report.

The Credit Repair Organizations Act, is designed to protect consumers with credit card debt and is regulated and monitored by the Federal Trade Commission. You should also know that any credit counseling agency is required by law to make you aware of your rights PRIOR or before you pay off service fees. Any reputable debt assistance company will also charge you nothing until they have completed their services with you.

If you find that they are making illegal or misleading statements about their services, you need to contact the Federal Trade Commission immediately. Bearing these things in mind, you should be able to find a credit counseling service to help you fix your credit rating and eliminate your credit card debt.

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You Can Get Out of the Debt Cycle!

By Michael Benifez

Christmas has come and gone and you now realize that you have spent way too much on gifts and festivities - most of them on your credit card. How are you going to fix the mess you have made of your finances?

The National Retail Federation claims that on average, people spend over $900 over the Christmas holiday period, a good deal of it on their cards.The consequences of this largesse are very hard to overcome. Approximately one third of people still have a credit card debt from the previous holiday period which they carry over into the next. It has been estimated that it will take around 3 years to clear a $900 debt at 18% interest, when the minimum payments are made.

Constant credit card debt, particularly when you are just starting out, can harm your financial well-being. Because you are always paying off the debt, you can't spend money on the things you really need to such as investments, saving and eating.

Lecturing you about your problems is not going to solve anything. You are looking for answers to your problems.

1. Restraint

You don't have to be a genius to work out that you need to spend less to manage your debt. This isn't much fun - watching how much you spend is very tedious.

There are a number of "budget busters" that, although on their own they don't seem like much, actually start to add up after a while. These include the $4 coffee, $10 movie or takeaway. To give an example, if you go to a movie once a week, in a year it has cost you $520.

Whilst you don't have to be overly stingy with yourself, you should take the time to look carefully at your bank and credit card statements and work out where all that money is going. Take the opportunity to pare down the expenditure and this will help to reduce the debt.

Ridding yourself of debt is like winning a battle, where you need to plan your strategy to ensure that the best resources are where they are needed the most. If you know where your spending weaknesses are, it is much easier to combat them.

When you are going over your spending habits, be on the lookout for two things that can keep you in the debt cycle:

* The "I really need it" virus: Victims of debt regularly confuse things that they want with needs. For example, "I really need that new car..." or "I really need those $200 jeans..." or "I simply can't go without my daily coffee!" * Big-spender-itis: People who are Victims of this syndrome have a need to show friends and family members that they have "made it", even if it means they have to go into or remain in debt to keep up appearances. These people have a big head... and a very large credit card growth!

2. Strike a deal

An effective solution to getting rid of debt is to negotiate with your credit provider and come up with a better deal. Often this will assist you in paying off the debt quickly or in reducing payments if you are really badly in debt.

* Request a lower interest rate. A five-minute telephone call to your finance provider has the potential to save you lots of dollars in interest charges.

* See if a balance transfer will help - shop around for a card with a lower interest rate, but take care with "special" introductory offers. These can be a trap, because that lower interest period is only for a short time and then the rate is sky high again. It will only work if you are sure that you will be able to pay off the full amount within the time frame.

* Choose a card that doesn't have a monthly fee. You may think that you are getting a better deal with a lower rate card where you pay fees, but in reality it isn't the case. For example, if you pay $40 each month toward a $1,000 balance on a card with a 12% interest rate and this card has a $50 annual fee, that's the same as a no-fee card with an 18.4% interest rate.

* Reduce your student loan rate. You can reduce your interest rates by between one and three percent if you choose a lender that gives a discount for on-time payments or automatic payments from your bank account, provided you haven't consolidated your student loans. You can make comparisons through SimpleTuition.com.

* Cut a deal on student loan payments. If you're really struggling with the payments, inquire with your lender to see if you qualify for a graduated payment schedule. You can also consult various bank officers to see if they offer debt consolidation loans. With this schedule, the beginning payments are small and are gradually raised as your income, hopefully, increases. You may also request an extension of time to pay.

3. Boost your income

If when you have trimmed all the "fat" from your spending and you find that you still don't have enough to deal with the debt, a way out of this may be to look at ways to bring more money into the equation. Is it about time for a raise? Have a chat with your boss, but never mention that you need the money to finance your debt.

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Negotiate Debt Settlement to Help Relieve Financial Woes

By Daniel Atolben

Are you deep in debt and looking for a way out? Are you living paycheck to paycheck, paying bills late and barely scraping by? Managing your personal finances can be tough and there are many people in your same situation. There are some things you can do to help relieve your financial stress.

First off, you should try to repay your debts as you have agreed to. Work out a budget, limit your spending and as you pay off your credit cards, don't spend on them. If you've maintained good credit then see if you can ask for a lower interest rate or transfer your balance to another credit card that has a lower interest rate. Some may offer you a limited time at a low or zero interest which may be what you need to get ahead of your payments.

Look at ways to increase your income. Think about taking up a temporary job to supplement your income. Consider downsizing your lifestyle so you can have more spending money. If you're making payments on your car, then think about selling it and buy a used, dependable one. Think about getting a roommate or moving to a smaller apartment. If you can generate just a few hundred dollars a month then you can bring down your debt in no time.

Getting a debt consolidation loan is an option that is attractive even if you're not in financial peril. This type of loan will pay off your other debts, offer you a lower average interest rate and give you one monthly bill. A debt or credit consolidation loan can be fairly easy to get if you have equity in your home and have a decent credit history.

Another, less desirable option is debt negotiation. With debt negotiation, you or a third party negotiates with your lenders for a lower interest rate, extended payments, and/or lower monthly payments. By doing this, you can afford your monthly bills and you'll have fewer worries. This comes at a price, however. Your credit cards will be frozen until your debt is clear and your credit report will be adversely affected.

There are debt negotiation services available to help you. They usually charge you a monthly service fee but they can help you get your debt under control. They advertise in the phonebook and on the internet. Be wary of ones that sound too good to be true. No one can just erase debt with no repayment unless it's through bankruptcy.

If you don't know the best option for your financial situation then get help from a credit counseling service in your area. They are usually non-profit or not-for-profit so their fees are nominal and they offer you a free consultation. Not only will they help negotiate debt settlement but they can also help you plan out a budget. You can soon be on your way to relieving debt and ending your financial burdens.

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Using Federal Student Loans

By Anne Ahira

Federal Student Loans are one of the most well-liked systems in which folks just like you find money to fund their institution education.

These are credits that are believed and really work towards the instructive advantage of the student. There are fundamentally two different varieties of Federal Student Loans that you might be interested in if you are trying to gain economic assist for the extra of your education .

These include the "William D. Ford" as well as the "Federal Family Education Loan". If you are seeking a loan that you may actually stand the chance of getting, and one that is especially designed for you and your education endeavors, Federal Student Loans are a great option.

If you are interested in Federal Student Loans, there are many different places in your community in which you may acquire one. It is best to consult with the financial aid department of your school in order to obtain a referral to an institution that offers this type of loan.

If you are searching for Federal Student Loans on your own, you may check at a number of manners of banks plus fiscal services. Many of these spot may advertise that they offer the loans. There are lots of great objects about the credit.

First, you will not have to pay as much interest on the finance as other finances. In addition to this, Federal Student Loans provide you an additional time to get them back than normal finances.

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Will Student Loans Be Available For Community College Students

By Bryce Q. Jarwoski

Obtaining a student loan for students at community colleges may have just become harder. In the current financial climate, the biggest banks in the country have reduced the colleges on their eligibility listings for student loans. Unfortunately, most of those removed are community colleges. It would appear that students attending the more expensive and elite colleges will still be able to get a student loan, but those attending community colleges will not. College education is being split into levels by this policy.

The real reason behind the decision by leading banks to stop offering student loans is the current financial crisis. It is simply much harder for lending institutions to raise the money themselves, so they do not have the funds to lend and they have had to cut back.

On a brighter note, there are other lenders who claim they will continue to offer loans to all college students. Companies such as Nelnet and Sallie Mae have recently committed to continuing with the Federal government backed scheme and will lend to students attending any college. This is good news for those attending community colleges.

For students looking to fund their college education by taking out a loan, the best option is a federal loan. These loans have a low, fixed interest rate, low fees and the interest is paid by the government while you are studying. These loans are available to all students regardless of their college, their background or credit history.

If this is so, then why are some community college students unable to get one of these student loans? It appears that there are some colleges that do not participate in the scheme, and this disqualifies the students from the loans. These students are forced to resort to other, more expensive, methods of finding money to pay for their college education - and they are often the ones who least can afford this.

The banks claim that these students are a higher risk category and more likely to default. Students at community colleges often come from low income families and should be entitled to cheaper federal loans. The colleges would be better supporting the scheme and teaching the students how to manage their finances and repayments.

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How to Avoid Paying Off Student Loans!

By Richard Gorham-SL

When it comes to owing money, college graduates are quickly realizing how difficult it is when they begin paying off student loans. Student debt is becoming a huge hurdle for millions of young adults.

There are a couple of reasons for this. First, this type of debt is usually incurred by young people who do not really have a clear idea of the long-term ramifications of taking on a large amount of debt to pay for their education.

Another reason why student debt can create such hardship is that a college education costs quickly add up to a sizable amount. The cost of attending a college or university is soaring! Unfortunately, the price of getting a quality education is not going down any time soon. In fact, it's almost guaranteed to continue to rise.

Very few people would argue that formal schooling is important for achieving career aspirations as well as playing a large part in a person's intellectual development.

College years are often reflected upon positively. This time in a person's life can be the springboard to rounding a student's view of the world, as well as opening the doors to new and exciting opportunities for the future.

So there is no doubt that getting a formal education is a key ingredient to improving your chances for success. However, the benefits of a college education may not outweigh the costs if you graduate yourself right into the poor house!

The good news is that there are plenty of options for paying off student loans, or better yet, avoid the need for student loans in the first place! The sooner you begin to plan in advance for your education, the easier it will be to avoid the burden of student debt.

Some ways to avoid taking on major student debt, is by finding grants and other sources of income that will help pay for tuition and supplies. High school guidance counselors are a great resource that can help educate you on what is available.

In addition, you can find some great resources on the Internet that are worthy of your time and consideration. In fact, many teens are starting their own websites for the purpose of creating online businesses, which will eventually fund the entire cost of their education.

Some begin even as early as 14 years old, and they are making enough money online to either subsidize the costs of their education, or pay for it entirely!

For those who do not spend the time to properly educate themselves on both the cost of college and the related risk of student debt (and the devastating consequences it can bring later on after graduation), they will be quickly awakened to the severity of the problem once they are faced with paying off student loans.

Paying off student loans with a limited 'just-out-of-college' income is a truly eye-opening experience. The salary provided for a 'first job' does not typically provide the means for paying off the cost of a college education anytime in the foreseeable future. It's usually at this point that the recent graduate comes to the realization that they are in major financial trouble.

The good news is that it's still not too late to successfully deal with the issue of your student debt. For those who are committed to paying off student loans sooner than later can do so more quickly by creating additional income streams.

While many college graduates are barely scraping enough money together just to meet their basic living expenses, there are ways to conquer their existing debt and increase their monthly income.

The sad truth is that too often people are paralyzed by their debt. They feel trapped and out of control with their finances. They develop a "debt" mindset. In order to deal with the problem effectively, however, they need to change their way of thinking to an "income focused" mindset.

If you are a current student reading this, you may think that the demands of your studies do not allow the necessary time it would take to create alternative sources of income. Wrong!

Building an online business can be done in your spare hours, and it's much easier than writing a formal essay on world peace. The sooner you begin the more successful you'll be at paying off student loans.

Furthermore, getting started early also paves the path for increased student performance. Better to worry about the outcome of a final exam than how to cope with paying off the rising costs of student debt.

Still not concerned about the negative implications of student debt? Consider also that many prospective employers will conduct credit checks to determine if a candidate is worthy of getting hired. Bad credit will cause a resume to land at the bottom of the pile faster than if it was attached to a 20 pound rock.

Also, if a person is considering buying a vehicle or home, that past debt can come back to haunt them. Credit damage done when a person is young can negatively impact their life for years to come.

Regardless of whether you plan to go to college, are currently attending, or have already obtained your degree and are now focused on paying off student loans, you have options available for making more money, above and beyond what you earn from your primary job.

Decide today to avoid and/or get out of debt! Start now to create alternative sources of income. The choices you make related to debt will determine in large measure the path of your entire life.

One thing is for certain, this is an easy choice if you take the time to fully understand how realistic it is to make money online. The sooner you understand the money making process, the more successful you'll be at paying off student loans, or avoiding the need for student loans in the first place.

Richard Gorham says, "Conquer debt and increase your income!" Access a wide variety of free tools and resource information to better manage your money at Debt-to-Income.com.

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Student Loan Debt Resolution Settlements

By Becki Andrus

Student loan debt is a terrible debt that can follow you the rest of your life, if you don't find a good way to resolve it. Student loan debt is sort of the double-edged financial sword many find themselves in at one point in their lives. You often spend hundreds of thousands on education to only find yourself at the end of the journey with a mountain of debt and looking for a job. There are many different ways to handle student loan debt, but the most popular are through debt consolidation, by forming your own resolution settlements or working hard to pay them off the smart way.

Debt consolidation is a loan and financial service offered by companies with experience in debt consolidation and with loans specifically formatted around the debt consolidation concept and needs. A debt consolidation loan is one that is used to pay off all other existing loans leaving you with one loan and subsequently one payment and one interest rate. This can be done with student loans and can often bring down the average interest rate and monthly payment you are making on all the loans separately.

When looking to pay off your student loan debt over time and in the smartest way possible, you first need to know and understand that debt to put together a plan of action. List your student loans from highest to smallest balance and start the two with the highest interest rate. This is the order you need to pay them off in. However, you must continue to make at least the minimum payment on all the loans while you are working toward paying down the highest balance, in order to keep your credit in good status. If you go through and systematically work to do this, you can pay off your student loans within a few years.

The last way most used to pay off student loan debt is through debt resolution settlements. This is a form of negotiation to help you save money on the overall balance of the loan and the potential balance that would be accrued from interest over the life of the loan. In order for you to be successful in this endeavor, you need to have a lump sum of negotiating money to offer and distribute to your loan holders. You can then work on negotiating them down and offer to pay them in one lump sum and be done with the loan.

Regardless, of which of these methods is for you, often the presence of a student loan debt can be positive on your future credit if you handle it correctly. Avoid defaulting and always work toward a resolution to keep creditor happy and yourself out of a bad situation.

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Securing Finances With Critical Illness Insurance

By Chris Channing

One of the newer methods of insurance that insurance companies are pushing is called critical illness insurance. This insurance, based on the fact that a consumer may be inflicted with a serious illness and need immediate cash supply, has many benefits over health insurance and life insurance. Indeed, its benefits are well worth looking into.

As life expectancy has increased, so too has the odds of obtaining a critical illness. Depending on the coverage, a critical illness may be defined as cancer, a stroke, becoming legally blind, or even going into a coma. Each of these mentioned diagnoses is going to require a large bundle of money to treat. Since life insurance only comes upon death, not having critical illness insurance could result in a financially straining time for the victim and his or her family.

The middle class family benefits most from the critical illness insurance plans out today, but it should be stressed that everyone should have some sort of cause in obtaining it. Even wealthy families will see their wealth slowly drained in paying for medical bills stretched over several years, making this doubly true for middle class families and lower class families. Critical illness insurance, in the end, is best suited for anyone who can afford it.

Some say that buying critical illness insurance is much like playing the lottery or gambling. While this can be true in some cases, studies show that by age 70 or later, the majority of citizens are going to have at least one critical illness to finance. Whether this be paralysis, blindness, or any other number of crippling illnesses- there is bound to be something to come forth that needs expensive treatment.

Those who are already paying for life insurance claim they don't need critical illness insurance because they are still financing their families upon passing away. This isn't the same thing, however, since critical illness insurance doesn't demand that the insurance owner be passed away before supplying money. In this case, bills can be paid instantly and excess money can be used to pay funeral costs, take a vacation, or otherwise enjoy the better years in life.

Like many other types of insurance, critical illness insurance is supplied by many different companies thanks to its major successes in the 1990's. Because there is a lot of choice to consider, consumers should investigate several different companies for best pricing and benefits information. Be sure to get a clear answer as to what is insured and what isn't- and be prepared to get someone to oversee the contract before signing it.

In Conclusion

Critical illness insurance is a great way to guarantee financial freedom even in times of peril. If you are afraid of putting debts onto your own savings or the savings of your loved ones, talk to an insurance agency immediately.

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Getting a business loan

By WIC

Getting a business loan is getting harder by the day. The recent financial meltdown has been a big scare for banks, and they are not particularly eager to hand out business loans to small business owners. So if you're not bailed out by the government, you'll have to know how to still get a business loan.

When you apply, you will be screened by a bank employee about your request. They will have a lot of questions, aimed mainly at your ability to pay the loan back and the amount of collateral that you can provide.

Collateral is one of the most important factors determining the success of a business loan application. But when you do not have enormous collateral, you will need planning and preparation.

Preparation is the key to getting your business loan request looked at seriously. Make sure you show your history, your plans and any smidgen of proof of trustworthiness you can find. Every little thing helps, so try to look the part when you're applying. Suit and tie is best, even if you're not comfortable in them. Looking good for this process is more important than you might think.

Even in these times, with ever tightening bank policies, a business loan is still a possibility. It just takes more preparation and facts then it used to, but the time invested will greatly increase your chances of success.

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Common Misconceptions In Getting Government Grants

By Chris Channing

Students everywhere are now taking advantage of the generous offers of the government in helping benefit students in their time of financial need. But along the way, there have been rumors and mysteries that students have often wondered about. To improve chances of getting ahead and getting the money needed for college, it's good to know the facts from the fiction.

There has always been the misconception that middle-class families were out of luck when it comes to government grants. The reasoning behind this is that middle class parents make more money than the more poor students, and thus disqualify middle class students from getting more money. Although this is true for some scholarships, this isn't the case in government grants- and students of middle class families should still apply.

Some students fret over even obtaining a single scholarship or grant because they don't have the best test scores. Some students do excellent in school, but aren't able to take tests. If that's the case, don't worry- most government grants aren't about scholar ability, but rather the financial need of the individual as determined by the family's income. As such, students shouldn't neglect a grant application just because they have less than admirable test scores.

Government grants should at no point be paid back, as they are considered as gifts to the student. Government loans may be another story, but a student should never hesitate in accepting a government grant because of a fear that the money has to be paid back. Indeed, government grants are the most favored of all government assistance programs for this very reason.

Another thing to consider is the fact that deadlines are much sooner than what most would think. Students are renowned for their procrastination, but this is one thing that shouldn't be put off. Most deadlines for government run programs will end in February through March, of course with some variations. It's usually best to fill out everything as soon as possible, usually when taxes are done so up to date financial information is available.

Paying for college is a tough thing to go through. Indeed, it is quite stressing without a little help from outside sources. While you should rely on the government for some help, don't expect the government to pay the full bill. Grants are usually designed to lessen the burden, not pay the full tuition of the applicant. Instead, consider other scholarships in addition to a grant.

Closing Comments

The Internet is a helpful tool in finding out more information. Try going on government-run websites to get a clear picture of what you'll need and what you can apply for. If you need help, try consulting a financial aid consultant at your university.

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How to Get IVA Debt Help

By Sara Young

It is a sad fact that many individuals in debt today will never be able to say that they are completely free of their creditors. With the cost of living rising and the level of salary payments struggling to keep up, there is less disposable income on offer and debts are rising as a result, to the point that some individuals can no longer afford to repay them at all. That is where the IVA debt help can come in handy.

The IVA, also known as an Individual Voluntary Agreement, lets you get rid of your entire debt within a certain amount of time - usually 5 years. The IVA debt solution lets you pay a portion of your debt every month, and whatever is left after the IVA term is done - is written off. When you are done with your IVA, you are debt free and do not have to worry anymore about the money that you owe.

The IVA debt help is a formal document - an agreement between you and your creditors - that ensures that you are able to pay at least part of your debt back. This is done using an Insolvency Practitioner who makes sure that the agreement is kept by both sides. For 5 years (usually) you will be making lower repayments that are more manageable to you, and then your debt will be written off and you will no longer be in debt.

The IVA is supposed to help creditors recover as much of their money as is realistically possible, and at the same time help people remove their debt without needing to file for bankruptcy. All your income an assets will be evaluated in the beginning of the IVA process to see how much you should be paying each month.

The assets and income included in your IVA application may include your employment income, investments, savings accounts, any other income, and assets like a house, a life policy, or a valuable car.

All of these assets can actually determine just how much you can afford to pay back. Only disposable income is taken into account so an individual applying for an agreement will be able to afford the bills and housing costs, as well as having enough left over to eat and enjoy life to a certain degree!

In the same way that bankruptcy involved court action, so does an Individual Voluntary Arrangement. The court must be informed and appoint the Insolvency Practitioner to help you and to supervise your repayments over the years governed by the agreement.

If you have large debts and you feel that you can not pay them back, an IVA might be the right thing for you. Being in debt is very stressful and getting out of it feels really great. However, an IVA is a big commitment and is not the right thing for everyone. Be sure to seek out an IVA company that will help you figure out if IVA debt help is the right solution for you.

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How to Get the Cheapest Student Loan Consolidation Rates

By Ricky Lim

Whenever a student needs a debt consolidation loan, he asks a student loan consolidation company for help. People working there will help him with the multiple educational loans offering a single loan with better benefits, interest rates and terms.

If you're in doubt about the consolidation loan advantages, then you should know that you'll receive a lower interest rate that will make the monthly payments more affordable. Also, you'll be writing only a single check every month and you won't have to remember all the previous monthly payment dates.

If you're looking for a student loan consolidation company, don't choose the first one you find. Before making any decisions, you should do a little research and find the one that suits you best. If you sign with the wrong company, you might end up paying a lot more than your current payments and that's not good at all.

Take your time and analyze the market because a good student loan consolidation company must help you eliminate your debt by offering lower monthly payments with better interest rates and attractive benefits.

Usually the lenders won't ask you to pay any additional fee. That's why if you meet one that does that, you should be very careful. In this case it's recommended that you ask why they are asking you for more money.

Don't sign the loan right away even if the lender insists. Before agreeing to anything you should check out the best rates available and all the offers on the market. Also, it is very important that you read all the terms and conditions on the contract because any unwritten promises worth absolutely nothing. You sign only if all the documents are all right.

In order to be eligible for student loans, a student loan consolidation company must be accredited by the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies.

Once you've settled for a company, check its name over the Better Business Bureau. By doing that you'll find out if there were any complains about their services. All viable companies are registered here and you can trust a loan company with your money only after a solid background check.

When dealing with a student loan consolidation company, you should do your best to obtain very low interest rates. Take your time, study their offer and sign the contract only when you feel you're ready.

Discover which are the best student loan consolidation companies online. Learn more about the consolidation of federal student loans.

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Tips on Purchasing Baltimore Home Insurance

By J. Lee

If you are looking at buying a home in Baltimore, it is important to understand the importance of maintaining Baltimore Home Insurance. Unless you are paying cash for your new home, you will typically be required to have an insurance policy in place. The company you are going through for your mortgage sets this rule forth.

It is the right of the mortgage company to want to make sure that their asset is protected and by law, they have that right to demand you carry up to date Home Insurance. If by chance something terrible did happen to your home, such as a flood or a fire, the insurance money protects them as the mortgage loan will be paid off.

If you lapse in your premium, which you do not want to do, you can suffer harsh financial burdens. If your house is destroyed by disasters or accidents, you are still liable for the mortgage of the house. Even though you no longer own the house.

This has happened many times to people so it is important that you do not become one of those situations. Even though people assume that nothing bad is going to happen to them that will take away their home, there is another financial aspect to consider.

The insurance company will notify your mortgage company once your insurance policy has lapsed. Once that happens the bank normally will send three or so notices to the homeowner advising that they must reinstate their Baltimore Home Insurance right away. Failure to do so will result in what is called force placed insurance.

Force placed insurance is where the mortgage company gets their own insurance policy placed on the home. The upsetting thing about this is that most of the time this insurance premium costs an incredible amount more than you would ever pay on your own. They take that cost and attach it to your monthly payments. Because of such insurance placement, mortgage customers have seen their monthly payment amounts almost double.

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When Is Home Refinancing The Right Decision?

By Ned Dagostino

Everybody would love to have a little more money in their pocket, and many people are finding out that home refinancing can actually give them some extra cash at the end of the month. But all to often people jump in feet first, and end up spending more money than they save when they refinance their loan. So let's start by first looking at when refinancing is a good decision.

If your current loan has an adjustable rate, this is probably a good time to look into refinancing to a fixed rate loan. Chances are you'll save money. Adjustable rate loans can be good if you get the loan when the rates are high. But in the current rate environment it doesn't make sense. It could mean thousands of dollars in your pocket over the duration of the loan if you can simply lock in a low rate. Interest rates always go back up. When they do, you'll still be locked in at the current low rate.

Another good time to refinance is if you have a balloon payment that will be due soon, and you simply don't have the funds available. Finally, if your current mortgage has a rate higher than the current market, then seriously look into refinancing. Even a savings of 0.25% can make a huge difference over the course of a 30 year loan.

But in all cases you should carefully look at the closing costs for refinancing. They can be pretty significant. Then figure out how long it will take you to recover that money with whatever you will be saving every month.

All to often people move before their savings exceed what they spend in closing costs. This is just like burning money. If you might be moving soon, refinancing is probably not a wise decision. Plan on being in your current home at least long enough to get back what you spend.

Most newly refinanced loans will also come with pre-payment penalties. These can be quite costly, with an average cost of 2-5 years. If you want to pay off the loan early, you're also stuck paying the penalties. And again, if you might move and need a new loan while paying off your old one, the penalties may apply. These penalties must be measured against your monthly savings.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you'll want to look at your monthly payment. This is especially true if you're planning on taking advantage of a cash out option. The cash out option will give you spending money now, but it will also increase the balance on your loan. If your new interest rate is not significantly lower than what you are currently paying, your monthly payment could go up just because the balance is higher. You want a rate low enough that your payments will go down, in spite of the fact that your balance increases.

Home refinancing can be a great way to cut down on your monthly expenses, and also give you some spending money if you need it. But doing it at the wrong time and under the wrong conditions can cost you money that we're sure you don't want to give away. Always check your savings against any fees and penalties, as well as other factors such as a potential move. If everything checks out in your favor, don't just go with the first offer you receive. Shop around. You'll be surprised at the difference in rates in terms that exist. And get recommendations from friends and relatives as well.

Do this right, and it's like money in the bank. Do it wrong, and you could be paying for years to come.

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How You Can Erase Bad Credit

By Matt Douglas

Bad credit, those two small words can have a huge impact on your life. It can stop you from doing numerous things, including borrowing money for a house or a car.

It can truly affect your standard of living, it's critical to fix your bad score immediately.

It's very important to understand exactly what having bad credit means. Basically it means that you have a poor credit rating.

Frequently this is a result of missing payments, making late payments, exceeding card limits or filing bankruptcy. The FICO score is how your credit is rated.

It can also be indicators of your need to fix your report. A bad FICO score is considered to be a score from 300 " 580.

If a lender actually agrees to lend you money, you pay a huge amount of extra money in extremely high interest rates. That is only if they actually agree to lend you money.

Now that you know exactly what bad credit means how do you fix a bad report? Well, it takes a lot of work and some time, but it is doable.

You should pay your bills on time each and every month. By paying your bills routinely, you will establish an impressive record, and it will help you payment history.

Secondly, you should get a copy of your report and see if there are any negative entries that do not actually belong to you. Mistakes on are a very common occurrence, and should be taken seriously.

If the mark is not an error you should negotiate with creditors for payment in exchange for deleting the information they report to the bureaus.

When you find mistakes on your report, you have two options to fix it.

First, you can try to do it yourself. Removing these mistakes can be cumbersome and time-consuming.

You will have to send a dispute letter to each credit bureau with an explanation of why you are requesting the mistake to be removed.

The second option is to hire a credit repair service. These services will actually complete the process of removing bad marks on your report.

Working with an experienced service will allow you to achieve optimal results, with a minimum time effort.

These services and law firms know the credit laws. And how best to dispute a mistake or bad mark on your report.

When it comes to your credit score and how important this three digit number is. And how much influence it has over your quality of life. We suggest you hire a professional to negotiate to repair your credit.

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Advantages of Whole Life Insurance

By Joseph Then

By the time you finish reading this, you will be equipped with the knowledge about insurance. Well the first thing to note is that there are two major types of life insurance- whole and term.

In this article however, we are concentrating solely on whole life insurance. This type of insurance is bought on a permanent basis. The insurance will then remain effective until it reaches the pay out of the policy.

The policy will pay out upon the death of the insured or upon an event as specified in the policy.

Whole life insurance has a few major benefits over term life insurance.

Guarantees

There is something that a whole life insurance can offer which term life insurance can't. It is stability. Whole life insurance carries stable premiums, a guaranteed pay out and guaranteed coverage.

Another important thing that whole life insurance can offer you is that there are no limits as to time and often the pay out can occur before death.

It Offers Cash Value

One of the best benefits of whole life insurance is that you can enjoy its cash value. What is cash value? Cash value means you can borrow or cash out the money that you have paid into the policy.

This is considered one of the best policies because you cannot get that with term life insurance as there is no cash value.

Usually any amount borrowed is not required to be paid back, but the borrowed amount is taken from the value of the policy. This means if a loan is taken and not paid back then the final pay out will be less the loan amount.

Flexibility

Another advantage of signing whole life insurance policies is that is flexible. I am sure you do not want to be stuck at a certain policy. Well, by having this policy, you can add onto the benefit amount and change things as the years go on and your needs change.

Other than that, it carries cash value. This means that you can cash out your money at any time, you always have the option to take your policy elsewhere without losing the money you have paid into it.

However, whole life insurance is not for everybody as the premium are higher but it is the best option for people that needs a secured future for their family.

OK, I think you should have a clearer of what life insurance is. For those you don't know, life insurance is something that anyone with dependents and people who rely upon them should look into purchasing.

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Personal Budgeting Strategies

By Kay Riter

When you are coming up with a budget, you are going to have to specify it to yourself. Don't think that there is a budget that someone out there came up with that you must follow. Your needs are different than the needs of everyone else. A single person might only spend $200 on food every month. This doesn't mean you have to feed your family of 6 on $200 a month.

There are some basic personal budgeting strategies that you should try to follow to make the best budget for you. Start by recording all the money you make. Include everything from your regular salary and tips to overtime, interest income, and investment income. Include everything you make.

Take every opportunity that comes your way to make extra money. Any career probably has some opportunity to make a little extra money. If you're a teacher, you can tutor on the side. If you're an accounting at a big firm, you can do taxes during tax season. Even if you don't think you're current job lends itself to anything extra, you can get any kind of part time job or just think outside the box.

Next, you should really examine all of your expenses. Write down every expense for 2 to 4 weeks. Don't miss anything, no matter how small the expense. Analyze where you are spending your money. Anything that you could easily live without cut out, and anything that has a cheaper alternative, swap.

Try to cut back as much as you can on expenses. If you are spending money on things you don't need and don't really want, you are passing up a lot of savings. You need to get in the mindset that life isn't about stuff.

Come up with a good plan. Make it something you can stick to. Don't deprive yourself, but only spend money on things you really need and really want. Don't be stingy, be frugal. There is a big difference.

On the other hand, if you have tens of thousands of dollars in debt or more, you may seriously need to consider a downgrade on everything. If your rent or mortgage is too expensive, downgrade. You need to do whatever you can to secure your financial future.

Stick with your budget. This is the most important thing you can do. Over time, you will start to see your savings pile up. You might even be able to retire early. If you think it's impossible, you either need to change around a very unreasonable budget, or you need to take a good hard look at your spending habits.

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Why you need to Watch your Personal and Business Credit

By Susan Carter

Looked at your personal or business credit lately? Can you say that everything on them is being reported accurately? A successful businessperson knows that it is vital to have the habit of checking their credit history.

Its very simple. When you need to obtain funds for your business through a line of credit (or loan), or when you want to apply to a new vendor, they are going to look at your credit record. If you have not made a committed effort to be sure that your information is being reported correctly, and you show up with negative items, than these lenders may not view you as being able to manage your debts well and may decide not to trust you with their money or their equipment. The best way to make sure this doesnt happen is to regularly check your credit reports and verify that everything is in good standing.

Here are the things you should be looking for when reviewing your credit bureau reports:

Items that should not be there. There are two things that you want to make sure aren't on your report. Items that you have cleared up previously and items that never should have been there in the first place. If you previously had a negative mark on your credit report, but have been working to clear it up, you should always keep the paperwork showing the effort you made to correct this problem. All reporting agencies have a high error rate. There could easily be items on your record that were not yours, but somehow were put on your record in error. The sooner you notice them, the sooner you can have them removed. Anything that should be there. If you have positive credit such as paid off loans or other large debts in good standing, then you want to be sure these appear on your credit record. It is important that your credit history includes on-time, paid debts because when companies are considering extending your business a line of credit, they will evaluate you by the amount of current outstanding debt as well as previous debt that you have satisfactorily paid off. Is it your history? Nowadays, with identify theft running so rampant, it is not just individuals who have to keep an eye on their credit report. An identity thief can just as easily steal the financial information for your company and begin a shopping spree under your company name. Verify that all the items showing on your credit report belong to your company " whether or not it is positive or negative. Take a few minutes when you are reviewing your credit to be sure all the activity that is showing are accounts you have opened through your company. Don't hesitate to call on anything that looks suspicious. You may just not recognize a name, but it is far better to ask than to risk a bad situation that will only get worse.

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Student Loan Consolidation A Helpful Financial Aid Option

By Paul L. Johnson

Having a stressful time paying off your student loans? Monthly payments too high to handle? Feel that your interest rate is too high? If any of these questions describe your current situation with student loans, you may want to consider student loan consolidation. First of all, let's answer the question of what this is.

Student loan consolidation is the process of combining all of your individual student loans into a single loan from a single lender. While doing this will not really save you any money in the end (in fact, it may cost you more due to greater interest accumulation), consolidating your loans allows you to lower your monthly payments by extending the repayment period (by up to 30 years), which will make the process of paying off the loan much less stressful. By consolidating, you will have enough money to comfortably afford other costs like car payments, rent, and additional expenses in your life. In addition to this, you will have other benefits such as a single monthly payment, possible fixed interest rates, and a good chance to improve your credit (since successfully paying off the loan will be easier). Although extending your loan period will mean that you pay more in interest in the end, if it means easing the stress of paying back what you borrowed then it may be worth it.

There are consolidation programs available for both federal and private student loans. You should consolidate your federal and private loans separately, as consolidating them together will mean that you lose the benefits that come with federal loan consolidation.

For private student loan consolidation, you will take all of your private loans to a lender of your choosing and consolidate them there. For private consolidation loans, you will have benefits such as getting a better interest rate if you have better credit, chances for interest rate reductions (for example, if you sign up for automatic monthly payments from your bank account), and the chance to start off with interest-only payments. However, some drawbacks to private student loan consolidation are not having a fixed interest rate, being required to have a credit check (bad credit can mean you aren't eligible), and a minimum required balance in borrowed money to be eligible for private consolidation. One other benefit of private student loan consolidation is that if you have improved your credit since originally attaining your loans, you may be eligible to lower your current interest rates by consolidating.

You are eligible for federal student loan consolidation if you have borrowed money from the government to pay for college. Some benefits of federal student loan consolidation include having a fixed interest rate, alternate repayment plans, no need for a credit check, and not needing a minimum balance in federal loans to be eligible. As far as drawbacks, they are the same as you will find with any student consolidation loan (mainly paying more in interest and having the "burden" of the loan for a longer period of time). Also note that there are two different federal student loan consolidation programs, FDSLP (also known as a "Direct Loan") and FFELP.

In conclusion, if you are interested in lowering your monthly payments, extending your repayment period, lowering your interest, and/or improving your credit, you should definitely look into consolidating your student loans. When making the decisions, just weight how it will benefit you against the drawbacks that exist, such as larger costs in interest. Student Loan Consolidation may cost you more, but it can definitely make paying off student loans less of a burden.

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Are Equity Loans Still Attractive?

By Dianne Logan

The global meltdown caused by the bursting of the equity loans bubble in the United States had left all of us wondering whether home loans are still an option for raising money. However, the hard fact is that home equity loans would never cease to be attractive for several reasons. Before finding out why, let us understand the various types of loans available. They are equity loans, lines of credit, home mortgage, refinancing, etc.

Equity Loans are Ideal as Short Term Home Loans

If you are planning to have a home loan for a short period, with the intention of selling your property after some time, then equity loans are ideal for you. This is particularly true when the prime lending rate by banks is lower than the average interest rate on 30-year fixed rate mortgages. In such a scenario, the rate charged by the lenders on home equity loans would be lower than the rates for first mortgages. If you are sure you would be moving out of the property in a few years, then you would be able to save thousands of dollars through such lower rate equity loans.

However, equity loans are normally taken out by people for raising extra cash on an already existing first mortgage. In such a case, the equity loan rate would definitely be higher than the mortgage loan rate. In spite of that, it is advisable to avail the equity loan as cash out refinance. This is because even these higher lending rates would always be lower than other cash options like personal loans, credit card loans, etc. Moreover, normally, home equity loans do not carry closing costs, which might amount to a few thousands in the case of first mortgages. From these viewpoints also, home equity loans are still attractive.

Banks Look at Equity Loans Differently

You might be aware of the recent crisis in the home mortgage sector. The banks bundled their home mortgages and sold them to refinance institutions like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These refinance bundles ultimately reached the hands of speculators. The vagaries in speculation led to a sudden crash and the financial institutions were caught unawares.

In the case of equity loans, the banks generally keep the loans within their banking divisions. They also keep the interest rates on equity loans directly linked to the short term bond rates and the fed rates. This ensures that there is a constant review of home equity loans by the lenders. Hence, they have more control on the loan amounts disbursed by them as equity loans and disburse equity loans even now in a freer manner.

Further, banks always like total refinancing for earning a higher income. For example, let us assume that you have a first mortgage for $50,000 for 10 years at a rate of 7% per annum. If you refinance the mortgage for a $75,000 loan, then even at a rate of 6% per annum, you might need to spread the repayment for 15 years due to the larger loan amount. In this case, the total interest paid out by you on the refinance would be much more. Under the circumstances, it would be ideal to continue the initial first mortgage of $50,000 and get an equity loan of $25,000 separately, repayable in a shorter period of 5-8 years. This would result in a lower interest payment. From this perspective also, equity loans are attractive.

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Student Loan Consolidation Programs

By Mark C Brown

The Consolidation of Student Loans

With the rising cost of education programs for consolidating loans offer the best of options to manage their finances and repay the amounts in time. There are basically two kinds of programs.

* Federal Student Loan Program * Private Student Loan Program

Both federal and private loans cannot be consolidated together due to the fact that the rates and terms of these two loans are not comparable. Government as well as private agencies offer to consolidate student loans. Choosing the right program, that will suit their requirement lies in the hands of the student.

Federal Loan Consolidation Program

Consolidating all your federal student loans into one single liability helps you manage your finance. Monthly repayment flexibility and reduction in interest rates are the two immediate benefits.. The repayment flexibility is offered by extending the repayment period/ term depending on your income and the amount of loan borrowed. Consolidating federal loans during grace period offers reduced interest rates.

Private Loan Consolidation Program

The procedure is the same as federal program except that rates and the terms of the program are more expensive and less flexible than the federal program.

Programs for Consolidating Student Loan

Two factors determine the success of a single liability program they are interest and repayment terms. While interest rates are comparatively lower which reduces the cost of borrowing, the repayment options determine the feasibility of the loan consolidation. Different options are broadly divided as follows

* Equal Payments - This plan notifies the equated monthly installments throughout the loan period * Extended Equal Payments - A 30 year repayment period for the loan taken

Improving your Credit Score with Student Loan Consolidation Program

The single loan program provides finance to both pay off your existing debt and for your immediate financial commitments. No borrowing and prompt repayment of existing loan results in improving your credit score. Positive credit score leads to reduced interest rates.

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How to Avoid Paying Off Student Loans!

By Richard Gorham

When it comes to owing money, college graduates are quickly realizing how difficult it is when they begin paying off student loans. Student debt is becoming a huge hurdle for millions of young adults.

There are a couple of reasons for this. First, this type of debt is usually incurred by young people who do not really have a clear idea of the long-term ramifications of taking on a large amount of debt to pay for their education.

Another reason why student debt can create such hardship is that a college education costs quickly add up to a sizable amount. The cost of attending a college or university is soaring! Unfortunately, the price of getting a quality education is not going down any time soon. In fact, it's almost guaranteed to continue to rise.

Very few people would argue that formal schooling is important for achieving career aspirations as well as playing a large part in a person's intellectual development.

College years are often reflected upon positively. This time in a person's life can be the springboard to rounding a student's view of the world, as well as opening the doors to new and exciting opportunities for the future.

So there is no doubt that getting a formal education is a key ingredient to improving your chances for success. However, the benefits of a college education may not outweigh the costs if you graduate yourself right into the poor house!

The good news is that there are plenty of options for paying off student loans, or better yet, avoid the need for student loans in the first place! The sooner you begin to plan in advance for your education, the easier it will be to avoid the burden of student debt.

Some ways to avoid taking on major student debt, is by finding grants and other sources of income that will help pay for tuition and supplies. High school guidance counselors are a great resource that can help educate you on what is available.

In addition, you can find some great resources on the Internet that are worthy of your time and consideration. In fact, many teens are starting their own websites for the purpose of creating online businesses, which will eventually fund the entire cost of their education.

Some begin even as early as 14 years old, and they are making enough money online to either subsidize the costs of their education, or pay for it entirely!

For those who do not spend the time to properly educate themselves on both the cost of college and the related risk of student debt (and the devastating consequences it can bring later on after graduation), they will be quickly awakened to the severity of the problem once they are faced with paying off student loans.

Paying off student loans with a limited 'just-out-of-college' income is a truly eye-opening experience. The salary provided for a 'first job' does not typically provide the means for paying off the cost of a college education anytime in the foreseeable future. It's usually at this point that the recent graduate comes to the realization that they are in major financial trouble.

The good news is that it's still not too late to successfully deal with the issue of your student debt. For those who are committed to paying off student loans sooner than later can do so more quickly by creating additional income streams.

While many college graduates are barely scraping enough money together just to meet their basic living expenses, there are ways to conquer their existing debt and increase their monthly income.

The sad truth is that too often people are paralyzed by their debt. They feel trapped and out of control with their finances. They develop a "debt" mindset. In order to deal with the problem effectively, however, they need to change their way of thinking to an "income focused" mindset.

If you are a current student reading this, you may think that the demands of your studies do not allow the necessary time it would take to create alternative sources of income. Wrong!

Building an online business can be done in your spare hours, and it's much easier than writing a formal essay on world peace. The sooner you begin the more successful you'll be at paying off student loans.

Furthermore, getting started early also paves the path for increased student performance. Better to worry about the outcome of a final exam than how to cope with paying off the rising costs of student debt.

Still not concerned about the negative implications of student debt? Consider also that many prospective employers will conduct credit checks to determine if a candidate is worthy of getting hired. Bad credit will cause a resume to land at the bottom of the pile faster than if it was attached to a 20 pound rock.

Also, if a person is considering buying a vehicle or home, that past debt can come back to haunt them. Credit damage done when a person is young can negatively impact their life for years to come.

Regardless of whether you plan to go to college, are currently attending, or have already obtained your degree and are now focused on paying off student loans, you have options available for making more money, above and beyond what you earn from your primary job.

Decide today to avoid and/or get out of debt! Start now to create alternative sources of income. The choices you make related to debt will determine in large measure the path of your entire life.

One thing is for certain, this is an easy choice if you take the time to fully understand how realistic it is to make money online. The sooner you understand the money making process, the more successful you'll be at paying off student loans, or avoiding the need for student loans in the first place.

Richard Gorham says, "Conquer debt and increase your income!" Access a wide variety of free tools and resource information to better manage your money at Debt-to-Income.com.

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Fixing A Credit Report: What You Can Do

By iFixCreditReport

Fixing a credit report begins with looking closely at this document. You can get a copy of your credit report for free online; just search for free credit report. You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year; also, if you are denied credit on the basis of your credit report, you may then request a free credit report from that credit reporting bureau (this must be done in writing within 30 days of the denial of credit).

Reading your credit report should answer the question of why you were turned down. Now that you know this, how can you go about fixing a credit report? What if there is something inaccurate on your report or something which while not inaccurate, is unfair?

You can dispute any item on your credit report by writing to the credit agency. They will have to investigate within 30 days. Send your request by certified mail along with copies of canceled checks or any other documents which support your dispute.

In the course of their investigation, the credit agency has to contact the business which reported the inaccurate item. If the credit bureau does not receive a satisfactory answer within 14 days, they then remove the item from their records and send you a new copy with this item removed. You can request that they send this updated report to any creditors who have seen your previous report in the last six months. You need to ask specifically for this, since it is not done automatically.

If the item is over a year old or amounts to less than $500, many creditors will see it as not worth their time and will not respond to the credit reporting bureau. Fixing a credit report can be done, even if the items contained are accurate. If you dont manage to have the item removed the first time, you can submit another dispute in 30 days.

If it is impossible to remove an item that you have disputed, you are permitted to add a brief explanation, which will be visible to anyone who pulls your credit report. This explanation can be up to 100 words in length.

If there is a long history of late payments and defaults, fixing a credit report can be a long term project. However, you can correct some of the problems on your report and provide an explanation for others. This will provide some improvement on your report even as you make the effort to get your credit back into good shape.

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How To Find Land Loans

By Spencer Hall

Many people see a piece of land and think of the different things they could do with it. Some want to build while others think that they could speculate and sell it in a few years for a profit. If this is you then we can help tame your expectations.

Banks prefer to loan money to already finished property or to very well laid out plans. If you are buying raw land and have not done your homework then there is a good chance that you get denied. If on the other hand you have put together all the research and proposed it well then you will likely be given the loan. Banks like safety and if you can not show how your project is safe then they will likely deny your request.

In addition to the fact that it is raw land there are a lot of other variables. One of the bigger variables is what type of land it is. If it is farm land that has yet to be farmed then it is going to cost a lot more to finance then if it is an empty lot right next to a thriving development.

If it is raw land that is not even hooked up for sewage and electricity then the bank will want even more money to finance the project. This is again because of the risks involved from the lenders perspective.

Make sure that if you are developing raw land you get a staked survey done and that you know for sure if you can get the required permits and utilities that you will need later down the road. If you have plans to immediately build on it you will have an easier time getting it then if you want the land for pure speculation.

When it comes to financing the project you may be amazed to learn that home equity loans are usually cheaper then a direct loan. Why is this? Mainly because you will work harder to keep your home than to keep an empty parcel of land. Remember that banks love certainty.

A land loan can typically be for anywhere from one to about fifteen years long. That is because the bank does not like financing projects out thirty years. Thirty years is a long time and brings in a lot of uncertainty.

If the land is owned and held as an investment then you may be in luck. Many times the interest involved in land loans is tax deductible. And as we know anytime we can save money from the IRS is a good time.

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The Direction You Need to Choose a Student Loan

By W. M. Blake

The cost of college is skyrocketing and some parents are finding it challenging to pay for their children's education. However, some things have gotten easier as time has gone by. Unlike in years past, parents can now go online to learn about what loan programs are available and in many cases even apply for different loans online.

The loan information available online is virtually endless. Parents can research what programs are available, what interest rates they can expect to pay, what it takes to qualify and any other information they may need. The problem is that because the internet is completely inundated with information it can be quite overwhelming to try to sift through it all and find what you need.

Sometimes it is difficult to determine which programs are applicable in your case or to understand the technical terms and conditions of the loan programs available. At times it is necessary to talk to the experts to get the direction you need.

If you have a good guidance counselor at your high school that may be the first place you go for information. A good guidance counselor will be able to point you in the right direction and help you sift through the many student loan choices. Also, they will be able to help you identify offers that you should avoid. Sad to say, not all high schools have good guidance counselors.

To get good direction from a real expert you may have to seek help from a professional. Of course professional services never come free. A loan advisor may be willing to give you a brief consultation at no charge, but any extensive advice will require payment.

Another option is to seek professional advice online. Again you run into the problem of the internet being inundated with options. It will take quite a bit of effort to sift through the many professional loan counselors online to determine who you can put your confidence in. Of course you can benefit from others research by looking at blogs and forums where different loan advisors are reviewed. This can help narrow down your options a bit.

But really how much confidence can you have in the opinions of people you do not even know. You might get the best advice from people you actually come in contact with on a daily basis.

By using all these different avenues you should be able to get through the weeding process and find a loan advisor that you can trust.

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